AN emergency equipment storage shed will help villagers battle flooding.

The Hanneys Flood Group, made up of residents of East and West Hanney near Wantage, won planning permission this month to put up the unit next to Hanney War Memorial Hall.

The flood group was formed after the dramatic and damaging floods of 2007 to try to reduce the frequency of flooding in the parishes.

While the collective have concentrated on prevention, they now hope to address the wider issue of resilience.

After making an application to energy firm SSE the group won funding to build their emergency equipment storage shed.

Villagers have widely supported the plan, with one resident, Stephanie Scott of East Hanney, writing to the district council: "I fully support this application. The facility is in an appropriate location, will be unobtrusive and easily accessible for normal use and in an emergency. This group do vital work to protect all the residents of the Hanneys."

Mrs PJ Taylor of East Hanney added: "This storage unit is much needed for storage of equipment by the volunteers who work for the Hanney flood group whose role is to help keep the watercourses clear of obstructions and thus reduce the risk of flooding in the Hanney villages."

Members of public can see the full plans at whitehorsedc.gov.uk using planning application reference number P18/V2538/FUL